Photovoltaic module interlayer

Abstract

A photovoltaic module may include a substrate including a coating; and an interlayer placed in contact with the substrate, where the interlayer includes an acid-modified polyethylene.

1 . A photovoltaic module comprising:
 a substrate comprising a coating; and   an interlayer placed in contact with the substrate, the interlayer comprising an acid-modified polyethylene.   
     
     
         2 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein the interlayer comprises an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer. 
     
     
         3 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate further comprises a non-coated section, wherein the non-coated section is located substantially proximate to a perimeter of the substrate, and the interlayer is located on at least a part of the non-coated section. 
     
     
         4 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of the substrate is substantially free of the coating, and the substrate surface in the region free of coating material is substantially free of surface erosion. 
     
     
         5 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein the interlayer is located substantially proximate to a perimeter of the substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cadmium-immobilizing agent proximate to the coating; or a cadmium-immobilizing agent dispersed throughout the interlayer near a polymer-metal interface.   
     
     
         7 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises a cadmium telluride layer on a cadmium sulfide layer. 
     
     
         8 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein the coating further comprises a transparent conductive oxide stack. 
     
     
         9 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 8 , wherein the transparent conductive oxide stack comprises a transparent conductive oxide layer on one or more barrier layers, and a buffer layer on the transparent conductive oxide layer. 
     
     
         10 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 9 , wherein each of the one or more barrier layers comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, aluminum-doped silicon nitride, silicon oxide, aluminum-doped silicon oxide, boron-doped silicon nitride, phosphorous-doped silicon nitride, silicon oxide-nitride, and tin oxide. 
     
     
         11 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 9 , wherein the transparent conductive oxide layer comprises a layer of cadmium and tin. 
     
     
         12 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 9 , wherein the buffer layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of zinc tin oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, and zinc magnesium oxide. 
     
     
         13 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 9 , further comprising a back contact metal on the cadmium telluride layer. 
     
     
         14 . A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module, the method comprising:
 placing an interlayer in contact with a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a coating; and   pressing the interlayer to the substrate, wherein the interlayer comprises an acid-modified polyethylene.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the interlayer comprises an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the substrate further comprises a non-coated section, wherein the non-coated section is proximate to a perimeter of the substrate. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 removing a portion of the coating from the substrate, wherein the portion is proximate to a perimeter of the substrate, prior to placing an interlayer;   laminating one or more layers;   encapsulating the substrate, the coating, and the interlayer in a frame;   depositing a cadmium-immobilizing agent proximate to the coating; or dispersing a cadmium-immobilizing agent throughout the interlayer near a polymer-metal interface.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the coating comprises a cadmium telluride layer on a cadmium sulfide layer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the coating further comprises a transparent conductive oxide stack. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the transparent conductive oxide stack comprises a transparent conductive oxide layer on one or more barrier layers, and a buffer layer on the transparent conductive oxide layer.